Ryan Braun Suspended

[Tib]

No mention yet of Raphael Palmeiro, another slugger who adamantly denied his use of PEDs, to Congress, no less. I find these two cases similar in the sense that both players were very vocal about their innocence and were then completely discredited.

While we're talking about the impact to the game and the culture of drug use in sports, we should also discuss the unabashed arrogance of proclaiming your innocence when you know you're dirty. This type of arrogance is a disgusting side-effect of modern rulebreaking by athletes.

They may be young men, and some have had their fortune placed in their laps, but the lack of humility is disturbing to me. I find myself frustrated to find players who truly exemplify the ideals I believe in. And until the punishment becomes a true deterrent (first offense: one year; second offense: three years), players will continue to risk their reputations and their health for glory and money.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Tib

No mention yet of Raphael Palmeiro, another slugger who adamantly denied his use of PEDs, to Congress, no less. I find these two cases similar in the sense that both players were very vocal about their innocence and were then completely discredited.

While we're talking about the impact to the game and the culture of drug use in sports, we should also discuss the unabashed arrogance of proclaiming your innocence when you know you're dirty. This type of arrogance is a disgusting side-effect of modern rulebreaking by athletes.

They may be young men, and some have had their fortune placed in their laps, but the lack of humility is disturbing to me. I find myself frustrated to find players who truly exemplify the ideals I believe in. And until the punishment becomes a true deterrent (first offense: one year; second offense: three years), players will continue to risk their reputations and their health for glory and money.

The bold are why this case bothers me more than others. The red italic is not a forlorn hope, however. There are many players who are just as disgusted with Braun as we are.

[RchW]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

The bold are why this case bothers me more than others. The red italic is not a forlorn hope, however. There are many players who are just as disgusted with Braun as we are.

How do you balance the Yankees having both Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez? It seems that they valued winning over true achievement.

[Le Grande Orange]

I would point out that denying allegations of PED usage is not limited to male athletes. There was the case, for example, of the female American track and field athlete (whose name escapes me at the moment) who ran into trouble at the Olympics. She denied, denied, denied ever having anything to do with PEDs. When the evidence became overwhelming, she had a change of heart and held a (crocodile) tearful press conference where she admitted that, yes, she had indeed used PEDs.

[RoyalsBlue]

Originally Posted by Le Grande Orange

I would point out that denying allegations of PED usage is not limited to male athletes. There was the case, for example, of the female American track and field athlete (whose name escapes me at the moment) who ran into trouble at the Olympics. She denied, denied, denied ever having anything to do with PEDs. When the evidence became overwhelming, she had a change of heart and held a (crocodile) tearful press conference where she admitted that, yes, she had indeed used PEDs.

I believe that was Marion Jones, if I'm not mistaken.

[Tib]

Correct. And let's not forget Lance Armstrong.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Tib

Correct. And let's not forget Lance Armstrong.

I think it was LGO who said it someplace else here: The best thing for these dummies to do is, when the stuff is just starting to hit the fan, admit guilt, ask for forgiveness, and go into rehabilitation mode. Instead, they lie and compound their errors.

The excuse of "I made a mistake" is starting to wear thin concerning PED use. I mean, it's not as if they don't know the consequences, let alone that it's wrong to cheat in the first place. Nevertheless, it's the lying, and then the "I made a mistake" business once it's obvious, that bugs me.

[dsvitak]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

I think it was LGO who said it someplace else here: The best thing for these dummies to do is, when the stuff is just starting to hit the fan, admit guilt, ask for forgiveness, and go into rehabilitation mode. Instead, they lie and compound their errors.

The excuse of "I made a mistake" is starting to wear thin concerning PED use. I mean, it's not as if they don't know the consequences, let alone that it's wrong to cheat in the first place. Nevertheless, it's the lying, and then the "I made a mistake" business once it's obvious, that bugs me.

Pete Rose would be in the HoF it he would have come completely clean, immediately.

[abailey3313]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

I think it was LGO who said it someplace else here: The best thing for these dummies to do is, when the stuff is just starting to hit the fan, admit guilt, ask for forgiveness, and go into rehabilitation mode. Instead, they lie and compound their errors.

The Andy Pettitte method.

[MorseMoose]

Word is A-Rod is suspended for the remainder of this year and all of next year.